BRAND NEW VINTAGE NOS EAGLE STAPLING SET HALF STRIP OFFICE STAPLER MINI STANDARD STAPLER BOX OF 1000 STANDARD STAPLES QUICK SHIPPING END OF LISTING BUT READ ON FOR A GREAT STORY.... FIRST BASE I’ve always been a baseball fan. I learned to love baseball back when the game really was the “national past-time.” I remember the history of Ruth and Gehrig and many famous ball players before them. I remember watching heroes like Mantle, Mays, Musial, Williams, and the like. I remember great games with great hitting and great fielding. I remember knowing the statistics and the records. I watched with excitement and anticipation as each record was broken and sat awaiting the challenge of players to come. But one of the games that struck me the most was one that I didn’t even witness myself. It’s been so long ago that I have even forgotten the teams or the players involved. But because of the extraordinary nature of this game, I have never forgotten the details. Even if all of the details that I have gleaned of the legendary story are not perfectly accurate, the main points remain clear and will forever have their effect on me and those who hear about it. The story goes somewhat like this. Two major league teams were meeting on the field of play in one of those famous stadiums of old. The game that was being played would have a significant effect on the outcome of the pennant. Crowds of fans were gathered in the stadium with great anticipation, each rooting for his or her team. As the innings moved gradually by, the visiting team slipped three runs ahead of the other. As the game neared its end, it became more and more improbable that the home team would be able to catch up or surpass the team that was ahead. But in the bottom of the ninth inning, the tables began to turn very quickly as they can in a baseball game. With two outs, the home team managed to get three men on base. The first got on base with a single. The second man also singled, advancing the other to third base. On the next pitch he stole second base. The next batter was intentionally walked to set up an easy “force out.” The next batter had a reputation of power, but a tendency to strike out in clutch situations. The batter, knowing the importance of the situation, walked boldly up to the batter’s box. He knew how to do his job; he just had to do it. He got into a firm and comfortable batter’s stance. He held the bat just right. He stared the pitcher right in the eyes to show him his confidence. On the very first pitch, the batter did all the right things. He kept his eye on the ball. He shifted his weight back away from the ball. He then moved his body toward the incoming pitch. He swung his bat with extended, level arms and made perfect contact. The ball sailed out toward center field with such power that it was still moving upward as it went over the center field fence. The opposing pitcher and outfielders stood in shock as they saw their game slip from them with one swing of the bat. The home crowd went wild. The visiting fans were stunned. As the hero of the moment passed first base, touched second, rounded third and headed for home, his teammates waited at home place (standing alongside the umpire and opposing catcher), waiting to greet their hero. As he touched home plate, they hoisted him on their shoulders and headed for the dugout, knowing in their hearts that they had won the game of a lifetime. But then an amazing thing happened. Instead of all of the visiting team members leaving the field and heading onto the bus back to their home, the umpire, the catcher, the pitcher, and the first baseman stayed out on the field. People began to wonder what was up and quickly they all found out. The umpire placed a new ball in the catcher’s mitt. The catcher threw the ball out to the pitcher. The pitcher placed his right foot on the pitcher’s rubber, then turned and threw the ball to the first baseman. The first baseman caught the ball and walked over to first base and stepped on it. Everyone looked with curiosity at the umpire who stepped out in front of home plate. There was a universal gasp as they saw his hand lift with clinched fist and thumb pointed upward. “The batter’s out,” the ump cried, “he missed first base … game’s over … visitor’s win.” I don’t have to tell you what happened next. Emotions went from excitement to shock and from shock to excitement. But nothing could be done at this point. The mistake could not be undone. The game was over; the umpire’s decision had been made. The player learned a lesson (one that came too late). The crowd learned a lesson. And everyone who hears this story should learn a lesson. The lesson is this. You can do everything you think is right. But if you fail to “touch first base,” all will be for naught. This is especially true when it comes to heaven, when it comes to your salvation, when it comes to your relationship with God. You may do everything that you think is right. You may be an honest and upstanding person in your community; you may live your life by the golden rule; you may join the church, be baptized, pay your tithe, teach Sunday School, serve on the board; you may help your neighbor; you may be a good husband or wife, father or mother; you may do all sorts of good works. You may do everything you think is right or at least do your very best. But when you round third and head for home in heaven, you will meet Jesus there. As Umpire, He will have to determine if you did what He asked for you to do. And while He may appreciate all the efforts you made, He will have to go by the rules of the game. The rules are these. Rule 1 (Romans 3:23) states that no one can measure up to the standards of God. Rule 2a (Romans 6:23) states that the penalty for not measuring up is spiritual death and separation from God. You will find yourself OUT of the family of God. Rule 2b (Romans 6:23) states, however, that God offers a gift of eternal life through Jesus. Rule 3 (Roman 5:8) tells us that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us, to pay the penalty for our sins. Rule 4 (Ephesians 2:8,9) tells us that eternal life is a gift to be accepted, not one that can be earned. Rule 5 (John 1:12) states that if we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we will become the children of God and have eternal life. You will find yourself SAFE in the family of God. The essence of these rules is this. When we reach home plate and look into the eyes of Jesus, the Umpire, He is going to judge whether we are “safe” or “out.” This will be determined by whether we touched first base, that is, did we establish a personal relationship with Jesus by taking Him as our personal Savior. If you have never had a moment when you accepted Jesus as your very own personal Savior, you have not touched first base. Regardless of what you do yourself, the rules state very clearly that you must touch first base by receiving Jesus. Right now could be your moment of decision, the time when you handle first things first. Whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus for dying on the cross for you. Then ask Him into your heart as your personal Savior. TO REQUEST PRAYER OR FREE COPIES OF THIS TRACT OR OTHERS, WRITE TO SELLER God’s Plan of Salvation for You God loves you! He would like for you to be a part of His family and for you to have eternal life. (John 3:16) The problem is that neither you, nor anyone else, is worthy to be adopted into God’s family. (Romans 3:23) In fact, the sins of your life are going to result in spiritual death, eternity in hell, and separation from God – that is, unless something is done. (Romans 6:23) Fortunately, something has been done -- something divinely radical. Jesus, the Perfect One – the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. This satisfied the justice that God requires and allows Him to offer us his mercy. (Romans 5:8) You must come to a point where you realize that there is nothing you can do to save yourself, and that Jesus has done it all. (Ephesians 2:8) Then you must simply believe in Jesus Christ. This means that you must receive Him into your heart as your own personal Savior – letting His death on the cross count for you, just as it has counted for many others. (John 1:12; Revelations 3:20) When you do this, your sins (past, present, and future) will be forgiven, you will immediately and forever become a child of God, and you will receive eternal life in heaven. (John 3:16) I can tell you from the depths of my heart that taking Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and growing daily with Him are the most wonderful blessings in my life. I would like to share these blessings with you, and I would like for you - my neighbor on earth - to be my neighbor in heaven, also. PRAY THIS PRAYER AND BECOME MY CHRISTIAN BROTHER OR SISTER. Dear Jesus: I know that I am a sinner, not worthy to be in God’s family. Thank you for giving your life on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I want you to count that sacrifice for me. So right now, I take you as my own, personal Savior, trusting you and nothing else to save me and to give me eternal life. Congratulations! If you sincerely prayed this prayer, you are now a child of God. Go forward from this day, growing toward maturity in Christ, living a life of appreciation for what God has done for you, reading the Bible and praying regularly, going to church and fellowshipping with other Christians, and showing your love for God and others every day. If I never have the privilege of meeting you on earth, I look forward to knowing you in heaven!
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